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Monday, 5 September 2011

Check out this infographic from RezScore exploring how we approach the CV has (or hasn't) changed.

The CV, when written right, does one thing, and one thing only: it gets someone interested in meeting you (in the context of an interview).
Yet we hear of far too many stories from candidates of applications being rejected, or downright ignored by their ideal employer - who might or might not be employing at the moment. Due to inconsistent HR practices (website last updated in 2007!) most of the time, people have no way of telling whether it's the right time to approach.

In such cases, as recruitment consultants, it's up to us to explain that that probably there's a myriad of reasons that an application was not considered - and it probably has less to do with the CV itself as with the people reading it at the wrong time. A well-designed CV definitely helps but in most cases the reaction seems to be: "if I can only make my resume a little bit better I am sure I can get that meeting."
The truth is that reason isn't even always related to the CV itself, but rather to other people's more timely expressions of interest, too many applicants, or a busy HR department in dire need of helpful advice from people close to candidates.

Maybe, due to this long traditional approach towards recruitment people can fail to look beyond this highly-charged document called the CV, and engage in stunted initial interactions based on knee-jerk impressions.

Maybe companies (and us recruiters, as well HR departments) should look past the CV a bit more. Peek out into who's out there, so to speak, ready to connect and talk. Ask questions, explore more.

Who knows if you just turned down or ignored the golden candidate who can turn your company around, given the time and resources?

One simple thing we can do to make talent finding and HR friendlier and less of a barrier: whether you're a job seeker or a top recruiter, don't let your online networking profile languish; explain the reasons behind that connection request, and follow up with the right questions and advice.